Causes of Eyebrow Hair Loss

Experiencing sudden eyebrow hair loss is not cause for immediate alarm. Eyebrow baldness or patchiness could simply be caused by overplucking. However, there are a few serious diseases associated with eyebrow hair loss. Losing hair on the eyebrows could be an indication that something is wrong. In this article, several causes of eyebrow hair loss will be discussed.

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Overplucking

Overplucking eyebrows is one of the main causes of eyebrow hair loss. When hair is pulled out at the root, it takes longer to grow back. Therefore, if consistent overplucking occurs for a long period of time, the hair may take several weeks to grow back, or it may not grow back at all. Eyebrow pencils and eyebrow correctors can be used as a temporary fix for eyebrow patchiness, but the best solution is to wait a few weeks for the hair to grow back.

Medications

Certain medications can cause hair loss, including that of eyebrow hair. Birth control pills have been known to cause hair loss in women who are genetically predisposed to hair thinning. Often times, people undergoing chemotherapy treatment will lose all of their hair, both on their heads and their eyebrows. Other drugs that cause hair loss include aspirin, blood thinners, arthritis medication and seizure medication.

Eczema

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, could be a culprit in the loss of eyebrow hair. Eczema is a chronic condition that causes extremely dry skin, which is often accompanied by itchy, red bumps and scaling. The skin can erupt in red or brownish patches that can affect the scalp, face, arms, legs or feet. Many times, eczema can affect the eyelids; excessive scratching on the face or eyelids can lead to eyebrow hair loss or eyelash loss.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. Although there is no known cause for alopecia areata, many scientists believe that the disease is genetic. This means that if there is a family history of alopecia areata, you may be at risk. Scientists believe that the disease can be triggered by an environmental element, such as a virus, in people who are more likely to develop it. Although hair will most likely grow back, hair loss and regrowth can occur often.

Lupus

Lupus is another autoimmune disease that mostly affects women and causes the body’s immune system to turn on itself, damaging vital organs and tissues. The most common form is systemic lupus, which can affect many parts of your body, including the skin, joints, blood and kidneys. Scientists aren’t sure what causes lupus, but many feel that it caused by a culmination of your environment and heredity. Symptoms include hair loss, skin lesions, stiff joints, facial rashes, fatigue and depression.